Paintbrush with multiple spaced brush heads and associated ferrule assembly

ABSTRACT

A paintbrush has a handle and a ferrule connected to one end of the handle. The ferrule including an injection-molded part, and a plurality of brush heads are attached to the handle via the ferrule. The brush heads are embedded in the injection-molded part.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

This invention relates to paintbrushes. The brushes of the invention are particularly suitable for certain kinds of fine art work. This invention also relates to an associated ferrule assembly.

Brushes used by painters in the fine arts and crafts conventionally include a brush head mounted to the end of an elongated handle by a metal or plastic ferrule. The brush heads are provided in different cross-sectional shapes, round and flat being the most common.

A traditional paintbrush can be loaded with multiple colors, but the different paints will mix on the brush. Thus, in order to keep strokes and colors separate, a painter must make a different trip to the palette for each stroke and may additionally have to clean the brush between strokes, where a color change is being made.

OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION

A general object of the present invention is to provide an improved paintbrush particularly for the fine arts and crafts.

A more particular object of the present invention is to provide an improved multiple head paintbrush.

These and other objects of the present invention will be apparent from the drawings and descriptions herein. Although every object of the invention is believed to be attained by at least one embodiment of the invention, there is not necessarily any single embodiment that achieves all of the objects of the invention.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

A paintbrush comprises, in accordance with the present invention, a handle, a ferrule connected to one end of the handle, the ferrule including an injection-molded part, and a plurality of brush heads attached to the handle via the ferrule. The brush heads are embedded in the injection-molded part.

The brush heads are typically spaced from one another. Where the brush heads are two or more in number, the brush heads may have different dimensions. For example, if the brush heads are flat, then one brush head may be wider than the other brush heads.

Where the brush heads are more than two in number, adjacent brush heads may be spaced by respective distances, that are the same or different from one another.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the ferrule further includes an outer member or sleeve. The injection-molded part is an insert disposed inside the outer member. The brush heads may include brush or filament portions and respective sleeves, the filaments being held in the sleeves, and the sleeves being embedded in the injection-molded part.

The handle is preferably a round handle and has a circular cross-section along substantially its entire length.

A ferrule assembly attachable to a paintbrush handle comprises, in accordance with the present invention a ferrule body having a pair of opposed ends. The ferrule body includes an injection-molded part. A plurality of brush heads are embedded in the injection-molded part in spaced relationship to one another.

As discussed above, the injection-molded part may take the form of an insert disposed in an outer sleeve, which is another part of the ferrule body.

As further discussed above, the brush heads may each include a brush portion and a brush head sleeve, the brush portion being bound by the sleeve, the brush head sleeve being embedded in the injection-molded part.

Preferably, the ferrule body is flattened at one end, the brush heads being disposed in a linear array at that one end. At the opposite end, the ferrule body is cylindrical, for attachment to a round handle.

In an alternative embodiment of the present invention, the injection-molded part comprises essentially the entire ferrule body. The brush head filaments or hairs may be embedded directly in the injection molded part. Alternatively, the brush heads may include respective holder sleeves that clamp the filaments or hairs and are embedded in the polymeric or plastic material of the injection-molded part.

The present invention provides a paintbrush that facilitates painting more than one stroke at a time. The different heads of the paintbrush can be loaded with the same or different colors. Moreover, when applied to the substrate, the paints on the different brush heads may be kept separate or overlapped.

The incorporation of an injection-molded part in a multiple head paintbrush in accordance with the present invention provide for increased precision in the spacing of the individual brush heads.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a side elevational view of a paintbrush in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view of another paintbrush in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of a further paintbrush in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a side elevational view of an additional paintbrush in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a partial side elevational view of another paintbrush in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 6 is a front end elevational view of the paintbrush of FIG. 5.

FIG. 7 is a partial side elevational view of yet another paintbrush in accordance with the present invention.

FIG. 8 is a front end elevational view of the paintbrush of FIG. 7.

FIG. 9 is a front end elevational view of the paintbrush of FIG. 1.

DEFINITIONS

The term “transverse dimension” is used herein to denote the width of a flat brush head or the diameter in the case that the brush head is round or cylindrical. As contemplated herein, flat brush heads are typically arranged in a linear or planar array. Thus, in a flat brush, the brush heads are arranged in a common plane, the widths of the brushes being measured in that plane. Round or cylindrical brush heads of a multiple-head brush may be arranged in a linear array or some other configuration, such as a circular array.

The term “ferrule” is used herein to denote a member that holds brush heads and secures the brush heads to a paintbrush handle. A ferrule pursuant to the present disclosure may be an injection-molded plastic part in which brush heads are embedded. Alternatively, a ferrule may be a composite part including an outer band or sleeve made, for instance, of metal, and an insert 15 of injection-molded plastic in which brush heads are embedded. The brush heads typically comprise multiple filaments or hairs that may be directly embedded in the molded plastic material or that may be held in respective bands or sleeves that are in turn embedded in the molded plastic material of the injection-molded ferrule part. The injection molded parts disclosed herein are preformed parts in which brush heads with or without respective sleeves or ferrules are embedded.

The word “embedded” is used herein to mean that a base end of a brush head or a ferrule or band thereof is disposed inside, and thus surrounded by, a plastic or polymeric part such as a ferrule or ferrule insert. Typically, the brush heads or individual brush head ferrules are inserted into openings or holes preformed, e.g., molded, in the ferrule or insert member.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

As illustrated in FIG. 1, a paintbrush 10 comprises an elongate handle 11, a tapered ferrule 13 connected to one end of the handle, and two brush heads 14 and 15 fixed to an end of the ferrule opposite handle 11. Brush heads 14 and 15 are flat, with their wide dimension in the plane of FIG. 1. Brush heads 14 and 15 have a common width w1 and are spaced from one another by a distance d1 that is approximately equal to width w1. Brush heads 14 and 15 also have a common length (not designated).

Ferrule 13 includes a tapered part 13 a that is attached to handle 11. Ferrule 13 further includes a flattened part 13 b at an end opposite handle 11, flattened ferrule part 13 b being wider in one dimension perpendicular to an axis 17 of handle 11 than in another dimension perpendicular or orthogonal to axis 17. Both ferrule parts 13 a and 13 b are formed by injection molding. Parts 13 a and 13 b are connected to one another via a tongue or projection 13 c on one part 13 b that is inserted into and adhesively bonded to the other part 13 a. Brush heads 14 and 15 are disposed in a linear array along the wide dimension of ferrule part 13 b. Brush heads 14 and 15 have straight terminal edges 18 a, 18 b.

As depicted in FIG. 2, another paintbrush 20 comprises an elongate handle 21, a tapered ferrule 23 connected to one end of the handle, and three brush heads 24-26 secured in an end of the ferrule opposite handle 21. At the end opposite handle 21, ferrule 23 is wider in one dimension extending in the plane of the drawing perpendicular to an axis 27 of handle 21 than in another dimension perpendicular or orthogonal to axis 27 and to the plane of the drawing.

Ferrule 23 includes a tapered part 23 a that is attached to handle 21. Ferrule 23 further includes a flattened part 23 b at an end opposite handle 21, flattened ferrule part 23 b being wider in one dimension perpendicular to an axis 27 of handle 21 than in another dimension perpendicular or orthogonal to axis 27. Both ferrule parts 23 a and 23 b are formed by injection molding. Parts 23 a and 23 b are connected to one another via a tongue or projection 23 c on one part 23 b that is inserted into and adhesively bonded to the other part 23 a.

Brush heads 24-26 are flat, with their wide dimension in the plane of the drawing. Brush heads 24-26 have a common width w2 and are spaced from one another by a distance d2 that is approximately equal to width w2. Brush heads 24-26 are disposed in a linear array along the wide dimension of ferrule 23. Brush heads 24-26 have straight terminal edges 28 a, 28 b, 28 c and a common length (not designated). FIG. 3 shows another paintbrush 30 comprising an elongate handle 31, a tapered ferrule 33 connected to one end of the handle, and two brush heads 34 and 35 clamped in an end of the ferrule opposite handle 31. At the end opposite handle 31, ferrule 33 is wider in one dimension extending in the plane of the drawing perpendicular to an axis 37 of handle 31 than in another dimension oriented perpendicularly or orthogonally to axis 37 and to the plane of the drawing.

Ferrule 33 includes a tapered part 33 a that is attached to handle 31. Ferrule 33 further includes a flattened part 33 b at an end opposite handle 31, flattened ferrule part 33 b being wider in one dimension perpendicular to an axis 37 of handle 31 than in another dimension perpendicular or orthogonal to axis 37. Both ferrule parts 33 a and 33 b are formed by injection molding. Parts 33 a and 33 b are connected to one another via a tongue or projection 33 c on one part 33 b that is inserted into and adhesively bonded to the other part 33 a.

Brush heads 34 and 35 are flat, with their wide dimension in the plane of the drawing. Brush heads 34 and 35 have a different widths w3 and w4 and are spaced from one another by a distance d3 that is approximately equal to width w4. Brush heads 34 and 35 are disposed in a linear array along the wide dimension of ferrule 33. Brush heads 34 and 35 have straight terminal edges 38 a and 38 b and a common length (not designated).

FIG. 4 depicts an additional paintbrush 40 comprises an elongate handle 41, a tapered ferrule 43 connected to one end of the handle, and three brush heads 44-46 clamped in an end of the ferrule opposite handle 41. At the end opposite handle 41, ferrule 43 is wider in one dimension extending in the plane of the drawing perpendicular to an axis 47 of handle 41 than in another dimension perpendicular or orthogonal to axis 47 and to the plane of the drawing.

Ferrule 43 includes a tapered part 43 a that is attached to handle 41. Ferrule 43 further includes a flattened part 43 b at an end opposite handle 41, flattened ferrule part 43 b being wider in one dimension perpendicular to an axis 47 of handle 41 than in another dimension perpendicular or orthogonal to axis 47. Both ferrule parts 43 a and 43 b are formed by injection molding. Parts 43 a and 43 b are connected to one another via a tongue or projection 43 c on one part 43 b that is inserted into and adhesively bonded to the other part 43 a. Brush heads 44-46 are flat, with their wide dimension in the plane of the drawing. Brush heads 44-46 have respective widths w5, w6 and w7. Adjacent brush heads 44 and 45 are spaced from one another by a distances d4, while adjacent brush heads 45 and 46 are spaced from one another by a different distance d5. Distances d4 and d5 are generally different from widths w5, w6, and 27. However, one or bother distances d4 and d5 may be equal to respective brush head widths w5, w6, or w7. Brush heads 44-46 are disposed in a linear array along the wide dimension of ferrule 43. Brush heads 44-46 have straight terminal edges 48 a, 48 b, 48 c and a common length (not designated).

Ferrule parts 13 b, 23 b, 33 b, and 43 b are unitary injection molded parts in which the respective brush heads 14, 15; 24-26; 34, 35; and 44-46 are embedded. Preferably, brush heads 14, 15; 24-26; 34, 35; and 44-46 are inserted into ferrule parts 13 b, 23 b, 33 b, and 43 b after the respective ferrule parts have been injection molded and hardened. Holes or recesses (not separately designated) are formed during the molding process. Alternatively, the holes may be drilled or bored in the injection molded plastic to enable insertion of the brush heads.

As depicted in FIGS. 5 and 6, a paintbrush 50 comprises an elongate handle 51, a ferrule 53 connected to one end of the handle, and three round brush heads 54 mounted to an end of the ferrule opposite handle 51. Ferrule 53 has a circular cross-section 53 a at a handle end and a flattened cross-section 53 b at a brush end. Brush heads 54 have a common diameter w8 and a common length (not designated) and are held in respective sleeves or ferrules 57.

Ferrule 53 includes an outer metal sleeve member 58 and one ore more injection-molded plastic inserts 59 provided with molded holes or recesses (not separately designate) which receive brush heads 54 and more specifically bands or sleeves 57. Inserts 59 may be force fit into sleeve member 58. Alternatively, inserts 59 may be attached to sleeve member 58 by adhesive, ultrasonic welding, heat welding, or mechanical connectors (not illustrated). In any case, insert 59 has a shape that is geometrically congruent with the flattened cross-section 53 b of ferrule 52.

Brush heads 54 are disposed in a linear array along the flattened cross-section or dimension 53 b of ferrule 53. Brush heads 54 terminate in pointed tips (not designated). Brush heads 54 are attached to insert 59 after the formation thereof. More specifically, sleeves 57 carrying brush heads 54 are inserted into insert 59 after that piece has been formed via an injection molding operation.

As depicted in FIGS. 7 and 8, a paintbrush 60 comprises an elongate handle 61, a ferrule 63 connected to one end of the handle, and five round brush heads 64 mounted to an end of the ferrule opposite handle 61. Ferrule 63 has a circular cross-section 63 a at a handle end and a flattened cross-section 63 b at a brush end. Brush heads 64 have a common diameter w9 and a common length (not designated) and are held in respective sleeves or ferrules 67.

Ferrule 63 includes an outer metal sleeve member 68 and one or more injection-molded plastic inserts 69 in which bands or sleeves 67 are disposed. Inserts 69 may be force fit into sleeve member 68. Alternatively, inserts 69 may be attached to sleeve member 68 by adhesive, ultrasonic welding, heat welding, or mechanical connectors (not illustrated).

Brush heads 64 are disposed in a linear array along the flattened cross-section or dimension 63 b of ferrule 63. Brush heads 64 terminate in pointed tips (not designated). Brush heads 64 are attached to insert 69 after the formation thereof. More specifically, sleeves 67 carrying brush heads 64 are inserted into insert 69 after that piece has been formed via an injection molding operation. Although the invention has been described in terms of particular embodiments and applications, one of ordinary skill in the art, in light of this teaching, can generate additional embodiments and modifications without departing from the spirit of or exceeding the scope of the claimed invention. For example, brush heads in a paint brush in accordance with the present invention may have different lengths. Also, flat brush heads in a paintbrush pursuant to the present invention may have edges that are slanted or even non-linear.

It is contemplated that the heads 14 and 15, 24-26, 34 and 35, and 44-46 of each brush 10, 20, 30, and 40 are made of the same material, for instance, natural or polymeric bristles or a mixture of bristles of different materials. However, brush heads of the same brush, for example, heads 44-46 of brush 40, may be made of different materials. One head 46 might be made of natural bristles, while another head 45 is made of a natural or artificial sponge material, and yet another head 44 made of a wire-reinforced fabric material.

Accordingly, it is to be understood that the drawings and descriptions herein are proffered by way of example to facilitate comprehension of the invention and should not be construed to limit the scope thereof. 

1. A paintbrush comprising: a handle; a ferrule connected to one end of said handle, said ferrule including an injection-molded part; and a plurality of brush heads attached to said handle via said ferrule, said brush heads being embedded in said injection-molded part.
 2. The paintbrush defined in claim 1 wherein said brush heads are spaced from one another.
 3. The paintbrush defined in claim 2 wherein said brush heads are more than two in number.
 4. The paintbrush defined in claim 3 wherein said brush heads have different dimensions.
 5. The paintbrush defined in claim 3 wherein adjacent ones of said brush heads are spaced by predetermined distances, at least one of said distances being different from another of said distances.
 6. The paintbrush defined in claim 2 wherein brush heads each have a respective transverse dimension, the transverse dimensions of said brush heads being different.
 7. The paintbrush defined in claim 6 wherein said brush heads are more than two in number, adjacent brush heads being spaced by respective distances, said distances being equal to one another.
 8. The paintbrush defined in claim 1 wherein at least one of said brush heads has at least one dimension different from a corresponding dimension of another of said brush heads.
 9. The paintbrush defined in claim 8 wherein said one dimension is a transverse dimension taken from the group consisting of width and diameter.
 10. The paintbrush defined in claim 1 wherein said ferrule further includes an outer member, said injection-molded part being an insert disposed inside said outer member.
 11. The paintbrush defined in claim 10 wherein said brush heads include brush portions and respective sleeves, said sleeves being embedded in said injection-molded part.
 12. The paintbrush defined in claim 1 wherein said ferrule is wider in one dimension than in another dimension orthogonal to said one dimension, said brush heads being flattened to have a greater width in said one dimension than in said another dimension.
 13. The paintbrush defined in claim 1 wherein said brush heads are taken from the group consisting of flat brush heads and round brush heads.
 14. The paintbrush defined in claim 1 wherein said handle is a round handle and has a circular cross-section along substantially its entire length.
 15. A ferrule assembly attachable to a paintbrush handle, said ferrule assembly comprising a ferrule body having a pair of opposed ends, said ferrule body including an injection-molded part, said ferrule assembly further comprising a plurality of brush heads embedded in said injection-molded part in spaced relationship to one another.
 16. The ferrule assembly defined in claim 15 wherein said injection-molded part is an insert, said ferrule body further including an outer sleeve, said injection-molded part being inserted in said sleeve.
 17. The ferrule assembly defined in claim 15 wherein said brush heads each include a brush portion and a brush head sleeve, said brush portion being bound by said sleeve, said brush head sleeve being embedded in said injection-molded part.
 18. The ferrule assembly defined in claim 15 wherein said ferrule body is flattened at one end, said brush heads being disposed in a linear array.
 19. The ferrule assembly defined in claim 15 wherein said injection-molded part* comprises essentially the entire ferrule body, said brush heads being embedded directly in said injection molded part.
 20. The ferrule assembly defined in claim 15 wherein said ferrule body is round at a handle end and flattened at an end opposite said handle end. 